Key case



June 24, 1930. c. M. I-QAGSDALE 1,766,801

KEY CASE Filed March 29, 1927 gwuantoz EMEQELE 5 dale Patented June 24, 1930 ries CHARLES M. BAGSDALE, OF LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY KEY CASE Application filed March 2-9, 1927. Serial No. 179,261.

The present invention is directed to improvements in key cases.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a case of this nature constructed to contain a number of keys, the construction being such that the case can be conveniently carried in a pocket and readily manipulated to position the keys for use.

Another object of the invention is to provide a case so constructed that the key holder can be easily and quickly ejected from the case and drawn thereinto.

Another object of the invention is to provide a key case so constructed that the plate to which the keys are connected can be conveniently drawn into the case and held positively therein against accidental dislodgement. i

In the accompanying drawing:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the case showin g the key holder in its inoperative position.

Figure 2 is a similar view, the key holder being in a position to permit the use of the keys.

Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional View through the case, showing the keys in position for use.

Figure 4 is a front view of the case.

Figure 5 is a sectional view on line 5-5 of Figure 1.

Referring to the drawing, 1 designates a case which includes a front 2 and back 3 formed from suitable leather and stitched together along the side and rear edges, as at a and 5, the lines of stitches at the rear stopping at points 66, to provide an opening 7, the purpose of which will be later explained. The key holder per se consists of a plate 8 which carries a bar 9 and to which the.

snap hooks 10 are secured, the hooks serving to hold the keys 11, the number of which may be varied.

To the inner end of the plate 8 is secured the inner end of a leather strap 12 having an arrow shaped head 18 which bears a resilient socket member 14. This strapis slidable between the front and back 2 and 3 and in the opening 7, the head 13 preventing the withdrawal of the strap from the open end 1 10f the case, it being obvious that the head Will limit the movement of the plate 8 when the same is in a position to permit the use of the keys. I

Stitched to the front 2 is astrip 15 having an opening 16 therein closed by a sheet of celluloid 17. This strip f-ormsin conjunction with the front 2 a pocket 18 in which a card 19 bearing identificationdata is retained.

The front 2 is provided with a slot 20 to accommodate the stud 21 carried by the back 2, in order that the socket member 14; can be snapped into engagement therewith to hold the strip 12 in a position to prevent accidpntal dislodgement from the key holding p ate 8.

As shown in Figure 1 the strap 12 is folded upon the front 2 and the socket member 14 carried by the head 13 is engaged with the stud 21, thus holding the key holding plate confined within the case 1. To permit the plate 8 to be positioned so that the keys carried thereby can be used the open end of the case is grasped between the forefinger and thumb and upon pressing inwardly the front and back will bulge, as shown in Figure 4, 7 this bulging of the front and back causing pressure to be exerted upon the head 13, thus forcing the same outwardly and disengaging the socket member 14 from the stud 21. After this has been done the case 1 is held with its open end downwardly and then given a sharp jerk, whereupon the key plate will be dislodged from the case and at this time the strap 12 will be drawn into the case until the head 18 engages the rear end, which limits the movement of the strap and plate. To draw the plate 8 into the case the head 13 is grasped and upon pulling thereon the plate will be easily drawn into the case and the strap is then folded upon the front 2 and secured through the medium of the stud 21 and socket member 14;.

The strip 15 reinforces the front 2 and constitutes a label holder and, being centrally disposed, is adapted to have the open end of the, pocket 18 closed when the strap 12 is folded against the front wall 2, as indicated in Figure 1 of the drawings. The strap 12 thus protects the label and prevents displacement of the card from the pocket 18.

Having thus described the invention, I claim:

A key case comprising front and back walls united at opposite edges and part way at one end to provide a central opening, a strap slidable in the case through the end opening thereof and having a head at one end, a key plate at the opposite end of the strap and coacting with the head to limit the sliding movement of the strap, the latter being foldable across the front of the case, complemental fastener elements on the head of the strap and the back of the case to secure the free end of the strap and the detached ends of the front and rear walls of the case, a label holder on the front of the case having the card receiving opening adjacent the end opening of the case to be closed by the strap when folded, said strap serving to protect the holder and retain the card in place therein.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature. CHARLES M. RAGSDALE. [1,. s.] 

